Boundless Daily: Water Baptism
Hey there! If you’ve recently made the decision to follow Jesus, first of all, welcome to the family. There is no better decision you could ever make.
Maybe you’re feeling a mix of excitement and a little bit of "What’s next?" That’s completely normal. One of the most beautiful and significant next steps in your walk with God is water baptism.
You might have seen it happen at a church or on a video stream. You might have questions about what it actually means, why we do it, and if it’s something you really need to do.
At Boundless Online Church, we believe baptism is a powerful moment in a believer's life. It’s your "Public Yes" to Jesus. Let’s dive into what that looks like and why it matters so much for your journey.
Understanding the Gospel: The Foundation
Before we talk about the water, we have to talk about the "Why."
The heart of everything we do is the Gospel. The word "Gospel" simply means "Good News." But to understand why the news is so good, we have to understand the situation we were in.
The Bible tells us that every one of us has sinned. Sin isn't just "doing bad things"; it’s a separation from God. It’s choosing our own way over His perfect way. That separation creates a gap we can’t bridge on our own. No amount of good deeds, "vibes," or religious rituals can fix that break.
But God, in His incredible love, didn’t leave us there. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and then, this is the best part, He rose again three days later.
When we put our trust in Him, repent of our old ways, and choose to follow Him, that gap is closed. We are forgiven, made new, and given eternal life. We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online every single day, and it all starts with this simple truth: Jesus saves.
What Is Water Baptism?
Water baptism is an outward declaration of an inward change.
Think of it like a wedding ring. A wedding ring doesn’t make you married; the vows and the legal commitment do that. But the ring tells the whole world, "I am committed. I belong to someone else."
Baptism is the "ring" of the Christian life. It’s a physical act that shows the world what has already happened in your heart. You’ve already said "Yes" to Jesus in private; now you’re saying "Yes" in public.
In the Assemblies of God (AG) tradition, we look to the 16 Fundamental Truths to guide our understanding. One of those truths is that baptism is a commanded ordinance for all who have repented and believed in Christ as Savior and Lord.
Why Do We Get Baptized?
There are three big reasons why we take this step:
1. To Follow Jesus’ Example
Jesus Himself was baptized. He didn’t have any sin to repent of, but He chose to be baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" and to set an example for us. If our Leader and Savior did it, we should want to follow in His footsteps.
2. To Obey His Command
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gave His followers a clear instruction: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Getting baptized is a simple, powerful act of obedience.
3. To Identify with His Death and Resurrection
This is the deep, spiritual "why." When you go under the water, it symbolizes your old life being buried with Christ. When you come up out of the water, it symbolizes you rising into a brand-new life. It’s a beautiful picture of the transformation Jesus has worked in you.
The Method: Why Immersion?
You might notice that different traditions handle baptism differently. Some sprinkle water, some pour it. At Boundless Online Church, following the biblical pattern, we practice baptism by immersion.
The word "baptize" in the original Greek language of the New Testament is baptizo, which literally means to submerge or to dip.
When we are fully immersed in water, it perfectly captures the symbolism of being "buried" and "raised." It’s a cinematic, powerful moment where the old "you" is left behind and the new "you" emerges, ready to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Is Baptism Required for Salvation?
This is a question we hear a lot. To be very clear: Water baptism is not what saves you.
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you were to accept Jesus and then, for some reason, were unable to get to a body of water before passing away, you would still be with Him in heaven.
However, while baptism isn't the source of your salvation, it is the fruit of it. If you love Jesus and want to follow Him, you will naturally want to do the things He asked you to do. Baptism is the first "next step" for a new believer.
Who Should Be Baptized?
Baptism is for anyone who has personally made the decision to trust in Jesus.
In the Bible, we always see a specific order:
People heard the Gospel.
They believed.
They were baptized.
This is why we practice "Believer’s Baptism." It’s for those who are old enough to understand the Gospel and make a conscious choice to follow Christ. If you’ve made that choice: whether it was five minutes ago or five years ago and you just haven't been baptized yet: now is the time!
Living Out Your "Yes"
Baptism is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. It’s actually the starting blocks.
Once you’ve made your public declaration, the journey of "growing in faith online" continues. This is where you start to learn what it means to live like Jesus every day. It means spending time in His Word, talking to Him in prayer, and connecting with other believers.
If you’re looking for ways to grow, we have so many resources to help you. You can check out our podcasts like "A Way Out" or "God’s Balancing Act," which deal with real-life struggles and how faith intersects with them.
You can also dive into our Clarion Call Bible Study to get deeper into the Word. The goal is to keep moving forward. Don't let the water dry off and then go back to your old ways. Keep that "New Life" momentum going!
Common Fears and Hesitations
Sometimes people hesitate to get baptized because they feel "not ready" or like they need to "clean up their act" first.
Let us encourage you: You don't get baptized because you are perfect. You get baptized because Jesus is perfect.
You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to have every sin figured out. You just need to have a heart that says, "Jesus, I’m Yours." If you wait until you’re "perfect," you’ll be waiting forever. Come as you are, and let the grace of God continue to transform you.
Your Next Step
Are you ready to make your public "Yes" to Jesus?
If you are a new Christian and you haven't taken this step, we want to encourage you to reach out to a local church or connect with us to find out how you can make this happen. Even in a digital world, we can help guide you toward taking this physical step of obedience.
If you’re still exploring what it means to follow Jesus, that’s okay too! We invite you to keep asking questions. God isn’t afraid of your doubts or your curiosity.
If you want to learn more about our community and how to get started, head over to I'm New. We would love to walk alongside you.
Let’s Pray Together
Living for Jesus is the greatest adventure, but it’s not always easy. We are here to support you in prayer. Whether you’re celebrating a new life in Christ or you’re struggling to take that first step, you don't have to do it alone.
Need prayer? Text 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.
We are so excited for what God is doing in your life. Remember, baptism is just the beginning of a beautiful story God is writing with your life. Stand tall, take the plunge, and walk in the newness of life that only Jesus can provide.
Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.
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